Federal Education Funding on the Table
January 8, 2010
In the midst of a legislative campaign for education reform and an uncertain budget season, state public school districts, school committees and teachers’ unions are also grappling with whether to agree to the terms of the Commonwealth’s ambitious and considerably controversial bid for federal education funding.
Last year, as part of the federal economic stimulus program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, President Barack Obama designated a $4.35 billion competitive grant program for education reform initiatives known as the "Race to the Top" fund. The goal of the funds is to create initiatives, strategies and responsibilities for schools to close the so-called achievement gap in student performance.
Since the announcement of funds, state legislators and education authorities, as well as school officials on the local levels have been aggressively working together on tight deadlines to install programs and policies in hopes of putting Massachusetts in high standing to receive Race to the Top funds. State officials estimate this could result in an award of around $250 million in federal dollars for Massachusetts schools, to be delivered over a four-year cycle.
School systems in Massachusetts have until Wednesday to sign what is known as a memorandum of understanding, a state document which outlines some of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s reform plans. By signing the document, school systems agree to participate in actions
to implement the proposed initiatives.
As of Friday, no school districts or unions in Berkshire County had fully agreed to and sent in the memorandum.
The general goals are to:
n Improve teacher and principal effectiveness based on performance through evaluations and collecting data
n Ensure effective teachers and leaders in every school and classroom
n Turn around the lowest-achieveing schools (level 4 or 5 on a state scale)
n Use data to improve instruction
n Roll out a statewide pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 teaching and learning system
n Increase college and career readiness initiatives to improve students’ preparation for college and careers
Under the federal guidelines at least 50 percent of any funds received by states must be funneled directly into the school systems using the Title 1 formula. Federal Title 1 funding is designated for schools by their population of students from low-income families. This translates into eligible schools receiving a supplement of 15 percent above its usual Title 1 allocation for each of the four years of the funding cycle.
According to the state, all districts who sign on will be eligible to compete for the remaining funds that go to the state, some of which will be distributed in the forms of competitive grants, funding for pilot projects, etc. Gov. Deval L. Patrick recently said he’d like to see some of the state’s share of Race to the Top funds go towards extended school day initiatives.
Only school systems that sign off on these goals and their fine print will be eligible for a cut of the Race to the Top funds. To be eligible, the memorandum must be signed by a superintendent, school committee chairperson and educators’ union president. For charter schools, signatories must include the school leader and board chair.
Though local school leaders generally laud the state’s proposals overall, n ot all are as willing to sign the memorandum.
Based on the funding formula alone, some officials find no incentive to apply.
For example, the Shaker Mountain School Union, which includes Richmond, Hancock and New Ashford, does not receive Title 1 funds, therefore it would not receive any Race to the Top funds.
Pittsfield Public Schools, however, has the largest chunk of change to gain from signing on with the state for Race to the Top funds. The state estimated that Pittsfield could gain a total of $896,768, or $224,192 per year.
Though Superintendent Howard "Jake" Eberwein III said the district is "optimistic and ready to file," he also said the district’s approach to this new funding process will be "one step at a time."
Other concerns include the details of the state’s Race to the Top goals. For example, the bullet point of improving educator effectiveness based on performance evaluations indicates a call to reform the system for teacher and principal pay, promotion, retention and tenure.
Lee Public Schools Superintendent Jason "Jake" McCandless, said that he and other colleagues in the state felt that for the amount and kinds of requirements schools face under the Race to the Top proposal, there was "not enough time to give deep thought" to comparing the proposal with the district’s needs.
He added that many schools are already working on internal strategies that align with the initiatives outlined in the Race to the Top memorandum.
Scott Eldridge, president of the United Educators of Pittsfield, said that his and other unions in the state are taking a cautionary approach to the state’s proposal, but appreciated the fact that the state has been working to keep sc hools, unions, school committees, as well as other educational associations and stakeholders informed.
He said signing the memorandum "only commits both sides [the union and district administration] to sit down and negotiate if funds are made available."
"As teachers, we’re always trying to find the best way to improve our students’ scores and the quality of education," said Eldridge. "This will be a great opportunity, if everything falls into place, for teachers to work together with administrators to make this happen."